Lines in the Sand

Lines in the Sand by Kaira Rouda

Dorsey Pittman just landed her dream job.  She gets to work at a world class resort, with children, and, best of all, live far away from the memories that still haunt her every waking moment.  However, from the moment she steps off the ferry onto Indigo Island she senses that something just doesn't add up.  Her new boss, Steve, is brash, controlling, over familiar, and just down right disturbing.  While the resort is top notch and picturesque, the rest of the island feels sad and neglected.  Dorsey, just can't shake the feeling that they way things are run here aren't the way things should be.

Jack Means has worked hard most of his life to achieve the level of success that is now his...or should be his.  Having already signed an employment contract to become the youngest member of management in Top Club history, Jack is disgusted to learn that Steve has pulled a fast one and is denying his admission to this hallowed club until the end of the summer season.  Until then Jack must cool his heels for another summer as head lifeguard, but with a twist...the long term employee rules of "no dating staff" now apply to him.  Too bad the new Children's Program Director seems just too delicious to resist.  Can he resist Dorsey all summer?  Or will Steve's heavy handed treatment only bring them closer together?

This story was a wonderful depiction of Post Traumatic Stress and Suppressed Memories.  Lately, as the stigma has slowly been removed from PTSD, more and more examples have been popping up in popular and romantic fiction.  This one is a prime example of one method used to combat PTSD, which is meeting your fear head on and acknowledging that you will always have a sensitivity to certain situations.  This story allows no sugar coating or "cures", just a strong dose of truth that some events cannot ever be forgotten.

The characters are certainly memorable.  Dorsey and Jack both have a backbone and a lot of guts to face down the myriad of unpleasant events that take place in the book.  Steve is beyond a creep.  He is one hundred percent EVIL!  The supporting staff, guests, and residents of the Island all add a lot of color and excitement to the story.

Overall, this is an exciting, if sometimes violent, adventure full of mystery and determination to discover the truth and do the right thing.

Continuity/Flow – 5
Sex – 4 

Characters – 5

Storyline – 5

Overall – 5